RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY: AIR & SPACE MUSEUM PARKWAY OPEN TO TRAFFIC
December 5, 2003

On December 5, 2003, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Route 28 Corridor Improvements, LLC (Route 28, LLC) welcomed Fairfax County officials and Route 28 Landowners' Advisory Board members for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Air & Space Museum Parkway (formerly Barnsfield Road) Interchange. This ceremony celebrated the substantial completion of construction activities on the first of six interchanges constructed on Route 28 under Virginia’s Public-Private Transportation Act.

The Interchange brings traffic from Route 28 to the Smithsonian's new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Air & Space Museum) at Dulles Airport. The Museum officially opened to the public on December 15, 2003. The Interchange opened both Phase I and Phase II to traffic; Phase I was completed on schedule and Phase II was completed approximately four months ahead of schedule. This enabled the entire Interchange to be substantially complete for the opening of the Museum.

Speakers included: Tom Farley of VDOT; Michael Post of Shirley Contracting, LLC; Laurey Millspaugh of the Route 28 Landowners' Advisory Board; Kate Hanley, Chairman of the Fairfax County Supervisors; Hobie Mictchell of the Commonwealth Transportation Board; and Virginia Delegate Richard C. Black (R-32).

Further North on Route 28 in Loudoun County, work is continuing on schedule on both of the Interchanges at Route 606 (Old Ox Road) and Route 625 (Waxpool & Church Roads). The Interchange at Westfields Boulevard in Fairfax County is expected to break ground on schedule in the Spring of 2004.

In the Fall of 2002, VDOT signed a Comprehensive Agreement with Route 28, LLC, comprised of The Clark Construction Group, Inc. and Shirley Contracting Company, to develop, design and build six grade-separated interchanges. Ultimate plans call for construction of a total of ten interchanges and widening Route 28 to eight lanes. Dewberry and Davis, LLC is engineering the project.

Route 28, LLC is responsible for right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, site development, design and construction services. The Route 28 Tax District is providing 75 percent of the cost of improvements in the corridor through special tax collections.